Duke: center Marshall Plumlee
Coming off his highest single-game minute total of the season, Marshall Plumlee is letting ACC foes know that he is ready to fight. The seven-footer posted three blocks and five boards in the victory against visiting Syracuse, including one that led to a monster two-handed put-back jam. In the game at North Carolina, Plumlee had six rebounds in 16 minutes, three of them on the offensive end. Virginia Tech’s prowess on the glass—the Hokies are 50th in the nation in rebounds per game at 37.8—could spell trouble for the often undersized Blue Devils. If Plumlee can quickly make his presence known in the paint, look for Duke to get out in transition and get easy baskets.
Virginia Tech: forward Jarell Eddie
If Virginia Tech has any chance to hang with Duke in Tuesday night’s matchup, Jarell Eddie must come to play. The 6-foot-7 senior out of Charlotte averages 13.4 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game on the season. Eddie has shown this season that he has the offensive ability to carry the Hokies to victory. He has scored 20 or more points on six different occasions this season, and poured in a whopping 34 points against Winthrop in December. If this volume shooter can catch fire, the Blue Devils should watch out.
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